The development of mariculture parks promises to be the answer to the continuing depletion of fish catch in our marine waters that threatens the livelihood of fisherfolks in our coastal communities.

That is why the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) is aggressively pursuing the project, not only for the sake of providing livelihood to the small fisherfolk but also to provide investment opportunities to commercial operators.

According to Assistant Director Gil Adora of BFAR, the idea is to create protected coastal zones into production areas not only of high-value fish species but also seaweeds, oyster, mussels, seahorses and others in coral reefs and sea grass areas.

How will the small fishermen benefit from the mariculture parks? Well, instead of going out to sea to catch fish, he can grow the fish in cages in the mariculture park established by the government. Because the small fisherman does not have the means to set up his own cages, the government provides the facilities. He can rent the fish cage, for instance. The payment of the rent could be made after he harvests his fish.

The big entrepreneurs can invest in the area where it is conducive to do business. That’s because the government, aside from providing various facilities, brings together in one place private investors that could provide the requirements for the total development of the business in marine products. The private sector, for instance, can invest not only in seacages for fish production. They could also invest in cold storage facilities, ice plant, processing plant, feed supplies, fingerling supplies and others.

BFAR established the first mariculture park in 2000 located in the Island Garden City of Samal in Mindanao which covers 200 hectares. BFAR started with only two seacages measuring 10 meters by 10 meters. These were stocked with 10,000 to 20,000 bangus fingerlings which were cultured for 120 days. The result was really very encouraging. Adora said the fish attained a weight of 500 grams after four months. Which means that the 100-square meter cage could produce 5 to 10 tons of bangus in that short period. That’s more than the harvest from a hectare of fishpond under the extensive culture system.

That has spurred BFAR to pursue the mariculture park project aggressively.

Today more than 100 cages are being operated by fish farmers in Samal. Another very successful mariculture park is located in Panabo City in Davao del Norte covering 1,075 hectares. At present there are more than 300 cages producing bangus and other high-value fish species there.

As of July 15 this year, BFAR has launched a total 50 mariculture parks in various parts of the country. Another 10 are being slated for launching in the near future.

According to Adora, seacage culture of bangus is really profitable. After deducting the cost of feeds, fingerlings and other incidentals, the net profit from one cage in a culture period of 120 days is P80,000 to P90,000. That'’ only one cage. Although there are farmers who take care of only one cage, there are those who are operating 10 to 20 cages each. That's a net profit of P800,000 for the one operating 10 cages in four months!

There are three sections in the mariculture park. One section is for the small scale fisherfolk who don’t have the money to set up their own cages. It’s the governmet that provides them. The second category is where entrepreneurs who have money to spend but not enough to put up all the infrastructures such as moorings for the cages. The third is where the big investors pay for all the cost of development.

In the mariculture zone, the local governments, fisherfolk organizations, national government agencies and NGOs are involved in the development of the place. The approach is holistic. All concerns are being addressed to include infrastructure, capability building, production, marketing and other ancillary industries. The investors have to pay only for the annual lease which may be less than the cost to acquire and develop raw areas for their needs.

By the way, learn more about mariculture by attending the 3rd Pinoy Aquatic Fair which starts tomorrow and will end on Sunday at the Quezon Memorial Circle in Quezon City.